Container with measuring cap

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a container comprising a dispensing opening, a dispensing tap for dispensing product through the dispensing opening, a measuring cap having an internal volume, wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to the container, and wherein the measuring cap has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap internal volume is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a container having a measuring cap. More particularly, the invention is directed to a container having a dispensing tap on a sidewall and a measuring cap that fits over the dispensing tap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the surge in popularity of purchasing products, such as heavy duty liquid laundry detergent, in bulk in retail outlets such as grocery stores, drug stores and especially so-called “club” stores, packaging for bulk items has become highly desired. One such type of package that has become popular is a container for heavy duty laundry detergent such as that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. D470,054 and 6,631,744 to Gerhart et al, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. That package is a 300 fl. oz. size container which includes a spigot for dispensing product, and a measuring cap which encloses the spigot.

While this package has been well received by the industry including manufacturers, retailers and consumers, it has been susceptible to messiness resulting from residual product in the measuring cap. Such mess occurs when the user replaces the measuring cap over the dispensing tap even though this is not the intended storage position for the measuring cap. The measuring cap in the Gerhart et al. package is not intended to be replaced over the dispensing tap, but rather placed separately aside or on a surface of the package such as on portion 60 of wall 36 in FIG. 14 of Gerhart et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,744. However, it has been found that in use customers tend to replace the measuring cap over the dispensing tap. In this type of package where the cap is fitted onto the container with its opening in a horizontal position, residual product in the cap can drain out when the cap is replaced on the container thereby causing a mess.

With the user tendencies to replace the measuring cap, it is preferable to have a package with a measuring cap that can be replaced onto the container or dispensing tap without any residual product spilling out of the measuring cap once it is replaced onto the dispensing tap.

Accordingly, for such types of containers with a dispensing tap on a sidewall and wherein a measuring cap is placed over the dispensing tap in a horizontal position, there exist a need for a measuring cap that is not susceptible to leakage of residual product when replaced on the dispensing tap.

An object of the present invention to provide a package with a measuring cap that can replaced over the dispensing tap without being susceptible to leakage.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have discovered a container with a dispensing tap having a measuring cap that can be replaced over the dispensing tap without being susceptible to leakage of residual product in the measuring cap.

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a container comprising a dispensing opening, a dispensing tap for dispensing product through the dispensing opening, a measuring cap having an internal volume, wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to the container, and wherein the measuring cap has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.

In another preferred embodiment, the measuring cap opening has a pouring beak that can be used to pretreat clothing stains.

In another preferred embodiment, the measuring cap opening has internal threads that cooperate with external threading on the container such that the measuring cap can be screwed onto the container.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is used in conjunction with a large volume heavy duty liquid detergent container. The container comprises a dispensing opening, dispensing tap, a top wall, a side wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall and a dispensing closure wherein the closure has an opening/aperture which defines a dispensing closure aperture and wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to a part of the container, dispensing tap or other part thereof and wherein at least a portion of the dispensing closure is below the lowest dispensing closure connection point when the container is in a dispensing position. In a more preferred embodiment, the container has venting opening in at least one of the top, back and side walls, and a venting closure.

As used herein, the term “during use” means when the container of the invention is placed in its intended position for product to be dispensed. For example, with the package shown in the figures herein, the container is ready for use and dispensing of product when the container is placed on its front side such that the dispensing tap is ready to be operated to dispense product. As the container in the invention may take different forms, “during use” is intended to mean the intended dispensing position for use.

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that a specified material or element is present, optionally together a further material or element, and includes including, made up of, composed of, consisting and/or consisting essentially of.

For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a container as positioned during use on its front wall with a measuring cap according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a measuring cap according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a measuring cap according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now particularly to the drawings, a container of the invention will be described with respect to a specific embodiment.

Container 10 includes top wall 22, front wall 24, back wall 26 and side walls 28. Bottom wall 30 supports the container.

Top wall 22 includes an area 40 in which is disposed a dispensing tap 42 and measuring cap 44 covering the tap 42. Handle 46 is integral with top wall 22.

Located on an opposite side of top wall 22 from dispensing tap 42 is vent 50.

As can be seen, especially in FIG. 1, the top surfaces of measuring cap 44, handle 46, and vent 50 are generally parallel. Moreover, the heights of the top surfaces of the measuring cup 44 and the vent 50 are independently within one inch of the top surface of handle 46, especially within ¾ of an inch of the top surface of handle 46, and most preferably within ½ inch of the top surface of the handle 46. Keeping the top surfaces parallel and at approximately the same height facilitates the even distribution of top load of containers in that the effective top surface of the container seen by a container stacked on top of it will be more or less even whereby to prevent uneven stacking load of the containers which can lead to rupture of the container.

In order to dispense product, the user rests the container 10 on front wall 24. The dispensing tap 42 is then operated by the consumer to dispense product.

To facilitate dispensing of product, the container includes a vent 50. A vent cap may be used to close the vent during shipping and times of non-use. To activate the vent the vent cap is loosened. Once the vent cap is loosened, air is free to flow inwardly through the vent opening 54 thereby replacing the volume of product lost when product is dispensed through dispensing tap 42 with air. This helps the product flow more freely upon being dispensed.

As previously stated, in the type of container shown in the figures herein, the container is rested on its front surface 24 during use. The contents of the container will naturally flow towards the front surface during use leaving any headspace in the container towards the back surface 26 (which is the upward most surface when the container is placed in position for use).

The measuring cap 44 serves the dual function of measuring cup and closure for the dispensing tap. The terms “cap” and “cup” should be understood herein to be interchangeable. The measuring cap has aperture 100 which defines a measuring cap opening 102. The measuring cap 44 is releasably secured to the container, dispensing tap or other part of the container assembly by being snap fit over equi-spaced ribs or lugs, which mate with bead(s) at the mouth of the measuring cap opening. Alternatively, the measuring cap can be secured to the bottle base finish by use of a continuous thread to screw on the bottle base finish or by other means. The connection of the mouth of the dispensing closure aperture to the container defines a continuous series of connection points of the dispensing closure.

The measuring cap has an internal volume defined by the size and configuration of the meauring cap. The measuring cap also has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap 110 is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening 112 when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position. The internal volume is the volume of liquid that would fill the measuring cup when the cap is placed with the measuring cap opening upward. Preferably at least 1% of the closure is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening. More preferably, at least 5% of the closure is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening and even more preferably at least 10% of the closure is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening. With a portion of the measuring cup below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position, any residual product remaining in the measuring cap will form a pool in the bottom portion of the cap. As such, the pool of product will remain in the measuring cap and not leak out of the measuring cap as long as a portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.

Preferably, the measuring cap is in the shape of a ball with a side cut off defining the measuring cap opening. Other shapes may be used as well as long as at least a portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.

Preferably, the measuring cap has textured fill line bands etched into the interior of the closure to aid the consumer visually in filling to the proper dose. The measuring cap may have a v-groove channel or similar type groove on the exterior of the mouth, similar to a laboratory beaker, to aid in pretreating strains with precise pouring. This channel could have an anti-drip lip. Alternatively, there may be “V” or “U” notches in the top side wall for a controlled pour.

The container and measuring cap may be mono-layer or multi-layer and may be made of, without limitation, HDPE, PP, PVC, PET, POLYCARBONATE or acrylic or nitrite base resins, and preferably contains a minimum of 25% PCR.

It should be understood of course that the specific forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention. 

1. A container comprising a dispensing opening, a dispensing tap for dispensing product through the dispensing opening, a measuring cap having an internal volume, wherein the dispensing cap is releasably secured to the container, and wherein the measuring cap has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap internal volume is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position.
 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater than 1%.
 3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater than 5%.
 4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the measuring cap internal volume that is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position is greater than 10%.
 5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the measuring cup is circular in shape excluding the measuring cap opening.
 6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap opening has a pouring beak.
 7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap opening has internal threads that cooperate with external threading on the container such that the measuring cap can be screwed onto the container.
 8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the measuring cap is fastened to the container by snap fittings.
 9. A container comprising a dispensing opening, dispensing tap, a top wall, a side wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall and a measuring cap wherein the cap has an aperture which defines a measuring cap opening and wherein the measuring cap is releasably secured to a part of the container, dispensing tap or other part thereof and wherein at least a portion of the measuring cap is below the lowest point of the measuring cap opening when the measuring cap is secured to the container when the container is in a dispensing position. 